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Home My WebLink About05/23/2019Approved June 6, 2019 1 Planning Commission Special Meeting – Public Forum May 23, 2019 Minutes of a Special Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, May 23, 2019, 7:00 PM Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, CA, 94022 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Absent: Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Chair Mandle Commissioner Abraham Staff: Interim Planning Director Steve Padovan, Assistant Planner Jeremy Loh, Assistant Planner Dylan Parker, Planning Technician Cody Einfalt 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Chair Mandle opened Presentations from the Floor. Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Mandle closed Presentations from the Floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 SECOND UNIT/ADU DISCUSSION; Discuss current state law and Town permitting requirements, introduce proposed changes to the Town's secondary dwelling unit regulations, accept comments from the public and Commissioners, and direct staff to proceed with the further development of draft modifications at an upcoming Planning Commission hearing. (Staff-Steve Padovan/Dylan Parker) Chair Mandle opened the discussion for the evening. Interim Planning Director Steve Padovan introduced the discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). He explained the agenda and said that the intent of the meeting was for staff to receive public input on how the Town should regulate the building of ADUs. Director Padovan opened the floor to the public and answered questions regarding the Town's current regulation of ADUs. The public asked questions regarding how kitchens and basements are regulated in ADUs, how current Approved June 6, 2019 2 Planning Commission Special Meeting – Public Forum May 23, 2019 density of development stands in certain neighborhoods, and how much development area and floor area a property owner can build on their lot. He explained that building an ADU is allowed by right as regulated by the State law, and the Town's regulations need to be updated. He explained the current fees associated with building ADUs and listed the proposed changes to the municipal code. A member from the public stated that the Town should not automatically start thinking of ways to incentivize the building of ADUs in Town. He explained that there may be residents who do not want more ADU development. Director Padovan talked about state law and explained that ADUs are permitted to be built up to a maximum of 1,200 square feet and their approval process should be purely administrative, however staff will review their maximum height to protect neighbor’s views. Commissioner Couperus asked staff how State law and Town law work together when one set of regulations is more restrictive than another. Director Padovan said that the state law supersedes the Town’s regulations if they are not consistent, but municipalities can always provide greater incentives. Commissioner Patel asked about the extent of review that an ADU would receive by staff. Director Padovan said that the Town would make sure that the location of the new ADU would not impact surrounding views. Commissioner Patel said that "impacting views" is very subjective. Director Padovan said that the Town will have the ability to require landscape screening if the ADU creates a visual impact. Commissioner Patel that the Town must be very careful with the language on how to protect views in regards to lighting and lot density. Director Padovan said that even though the review of the ADU must be administrative, any required landscape screening can receive a full review from staff and surrounding neighbors. Commissioner Couperus spoke of the hidden costs that can surface when adding a "substantial upgrade" to a property including improving a septic system, undergrounding utility lines, and widening a driveway for a firetruck turn around. A discussion of a two-tiered review system for ADUs ensued. The review could be separated into an administrative review for ADUs that comply with the state Approved June 6, 2019 3 Planning Commission Special Meeting – Public Forum May 23, 2019 minimum requirements for floor area, and a more in-depth review involving neighbors for ADUs that are interested in utilizing the incentives spoken about at this evening (i.e. development area credit, exclusion of fee, parking in the setback, etc.) Commissioner Patel said that the state minimum for ADUs is 800 square feet. He asked staff if this could be the size for an administrative review. Director Padovan said that he could review this option to make sure it complies with state regulations. Chair Mandle said that the Town needs to move carefully regarding any proposed changes to the municipal code. She said that she does not want to open up any possibilities for building situations they did not foresee coming. She said that the two-tiered system has appeal because protecting neighbors’ views is important to the Town. 4. OLD BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS – None Chair Mandle spoke of the meeting she and Commissioner Couperus had with staff regarding Planning Commission current issues and procedures. She reported that the Fast Track changes that the Commission enacted to review additional projects has produced nothing to report. She spoke of the Fire Department issue with driveway access and turn arounds and said that she would like for the Town to notify residents that may have a potential problem with their lots when it comes time to redevelop their property in the future. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for May 16 - Commissioner Couperus Chair Mandle requested an update on the goal setting meeting that happened with the Town Council. Director Padovan said that ADUs, sewer improvements, and completing the pathways map were a part of the meeting. Commissioner Patel asked about the Town Hall expansion project. Director Padovan said that staff has met with the architect and revised plans are in the process of being prepared. Commissioner Couperus reported on the meeting. Approved June 6, 2019 4 Planning Commission Special Meeting – Public Forum May 23, 2019 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for June 20 - Commissioner Smith 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for July 18 - CANCELLED 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for August 15 - Chair Mandle 6.5 Planning Commission Representative for September 19 - Commissioner Abraham 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of May 2, 2019 - Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Smith moved to approve the May 2, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Patel. AYES: Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Abraham ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED: 4-0-1 8. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - MAY 7 8.1 LANDS OF CAMPA; 25473 Elena Road; File #SD18-00048; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 528 square foot, detached garage with a 450 square foot secondary dwelling unit above (maximum height 20'-6"); CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) - construction of a new secondary dwelling unit in a residential zone; (Staff-Jeremy Loh). [Approved] 8.2 LANDS OF CASSANOVA AND COHEN; 26759 Shady Oaks Court; File #SD19-00005; A request for a Site Development Permit for additions totaling 60 square feet to an existing single family residence and a new sports court with hardscape improvements and modified driveway (maximum height 18'-2"); CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15301(e) - additions to existing structures that do not result in an increase of 50% floor area; (Staff-Jeremy Loh). [Approved] 8.3 LANDS OF GOUMAS AND EGGERS; 12051 Moody Springs Court; File #SD19-0009; A request for a Site Development Permit for a roofed pool cabana Approved June 6, 2019 5 Planning Commission Special Meeting – Public Forum May 23, 2019 structure with an unfinished accessory structure below totaling 860 square feet (maximum height 27'-0"); CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(e) - construction of a new accessory (appurtenant) structure; (staff-Jeremy Loh). [Appealed] 9. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS – MAY 7 & 14 9.1 LANDS OF XU; 12640 Corte Madera Lane; File #SD18-0054; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 4,563 square-foot residence (Maximum height 26'-6") with a 2,063 square-foot basement and a new 600 square-foot secondary dwelling unit. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) - construction of a new single-family residence in a residential zone (Staff-Jeremy Loh). [Approved] 9.2 LANDS OF KLEIN; 27772 Lupine Road; File #SD18-0073; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 5,640 square-foot residence with a increased front, rear and side yard setbacks to allow for the increased height of the structure from 27 feet to 30 feet. (Maximum height 30'-5"). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) - construction of a new single-family residence in a residential zone. (Staff - Dylan Parker). [Approved] 10. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting adjourned at 9:47 PM The minutes of the May 23, 2019 Special Planning Commission Meeting was approved as corrected at the June 6, 2019 Regular Planning Commission Meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Cody Einfalt Planning Technician